1st bloom/open action/video/audio

[hatesthefood]

There's a pop, then a splash as a masked brunette fell on his hands and knees in the fountain. A muffled curse could be heard from behind the half-mask before he looked up, reaching up to carefully brush dripping hair from his face before he looked back to make sure he still had his gloves in their best shape.

"... good job. I think I took a wrong turn somewhere."

[ooc: Here's Ken back in the City. His memories are very much subdued and can and will be pulled back to the surface if jogged in the right way.]

Comments

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

[Mamoru leads him to an apartment which is undeniably his. A cat and dog who clearly know him, not to mention soccer posters, Bugh Nuks hidden under the bed, plenty of clothing in his size...]

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

[Ken takes his time to look everything over closely, even going through the closet. When he comes out, he looks at Mamoru, expression carefully unreadable.]

... I have never been here before. If I had been, I would remember this. I mean, me? Owning a cat?

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

His name is Gentian.

[That should say it all.]

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

[There's no mistaking the surprise in Ken's eyes this time. Sighing softly, he reaches up to slide the mask down, finally revealing his face. He's grown a little more and his face is a little more angular, but it's still Ken.]

... okay. If this is all real and true, then why don't I remember?

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

Because of Sin's toxin the City. It does this, sometimes. Takes your memories. They might come back. They might not.

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

Well, that's nice of it. Okay, so, how do I get back?

[The old Ken would've been pacing by now, all barely contained energy but this Ken remained still and watchful.]

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

You don't.

[Simply. Mamoru is holding still, meeting his eyes.] Simply put, we're stuck here.

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

Huh.

[He smiles faintly, shaking his head before he moves to sit on the couch. The gloves come off a moment later and he takes the time to check them over before he looks back up.]

You sure it's not a dream or something?

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

Positive.

[Quietly. He wants to tell Ken -- but there's no point, now. They're no longer together.] They're fed and watered for the night. They prefer you. There's a spare key -- well, you'll find it. You hid it.

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I guess I'm kinda predictable when it comes to that kind of stuff.

[he smiled a little sheepishly, chuckling as he looked around again]

... it looks like I was pretty settled in here. How... was I when I was here

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

Sane.

[But honesty compels him to add.]

You were right on the edge, sometimes.

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

[The smiles softens a little as Ken leans back against the back of the couch.]

Why do I think you were the one that kept me from going over when I was here?

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

I wasn't.

[He needs to leave. Glances at Ken once more.] Fuu and Louise next door will help you if you need anything. Louise will remember you. Or Uta.

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

I'll be sure to remember that. Thanks.

[He watches him as he moves to go, the smile fading a little.]

Thanks. For coming to pick me up.

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

It's nothing. [Quietly, then he gives him his apartment number.]

If you need anything. And in the square -- you're the sole operator of Koneko, now. I kept her in shape for you.

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

It's here? Really?

[He almost seems eager after hearing about it. A little slice of home.]

Not too different from home, then.

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

We had a while to settle in.

[He extends a hand to Bandit, and she comes and sniffs, but then trots back over to Ken. Abruptly, he pulls back.]

Good luck.

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

[Without thinking, he reaches down to stroke her ears, watching him.]

Thanks. I really need to find a way out, though. I have things to do back there.

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

"Time freezes while you're here," Mamoru murmured, looking askance at him. "Aya won't even notice when you get back. It goes differently here, too... You left less than a week ago, and you come back a year older."

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

"Eh, he's not so bad now," he chuckled, looking a little smug even though the smile faded a little when he heard the difference in time for him.

"... this place is weird."

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

"It is," Mamoru murmured. "The curses, too. Did Fuu tell you about them?"

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

"Curses? Don't think she did."

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

[Mamoru sighs, taking Ken's communicator from him and typing adeptly on the keyboard. A few minutes later, he's pulled up a guide.]

Here. Homework.

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

"Gee, thanks. Just what I always wanted," Ken muttered as he took the device, scanning over it.

[whatsapersia.livejournal.com]

I know.

[Have an unrepentant Mamoru. Then, uncertainly]

I'll come by in the morning to show you the shop. I work for the police force here.